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D-dimer test
Fragment D-dimer; Fibrin degradation fragment; DVT - D-dimer; PE - D-dimer; Deep vein thrombosis - D-dimer; Pulmonary embolism - D-dimer; Blood clot to the lungs - D-dimer
D-dimer tests are used to check for blood clotting problems. Blood clots can cause health problems, such as:
Blood clots
Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...
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Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in a vein deep inside a part of the body. It mainly affects the large ...
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Pulmonary embolism (PE)
Pulmonary embolism (PE)
A pulmonary embolus is a blockage of an artery in the lungs. The most common cause of the blockage is a blood clot.
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Stroke
Stroke
A stroke occurs when blood flow to a part of the brain stops. A stroke is sometimes called a "brain attack. " If blood flow is cut off for longer th...
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Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)
Disseminated intravascular coagulation ...
Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a serious disorder in which the proteins that control blood clotting become overactive.
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How the Test is Performed
The D-dimer test is a blood test. You will need to get a blood sample drawn .
Blood sample drawn
Venipuncture is the collection of blood from a vein. It is most often done for laboratory testing.
How to Prepare for the Test
No special preparation is necessary.
How the Test will Feel
When the needle is inserted to draw blood, some people feel moderate pain. Others feel only a prick or stinging sensation. Afterward, there may be some throbbing or a slight bruise.
Why the Test is Performed
Your health care may order a D-dimer test if you are showing symptoms of blood clots, such as:
- Swelling, pain, warmth, and changes in skin color of your leg
- Sharp chest pain, trouble breathing, coughing up blood, and fast heart beat
- Bleeding gums, nausea and vomiting, seizures, severe stomach and muscle pain, and decreased urine
Your provider may also use the D-dimer test to see if treatment for DIC is working.
Normal Results
A normal test is negative. This means that you probably do not have problems with blood clotting.
If you are getting the D-dimer test to see if treatment is working for DIC, a normal or decreasing level of D-dimer means the treatment is working.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A positive test means that you may be making blood clots. The test does not tell where the clots are or why you are making clots. Your provider may order other tests to see where clots are located.
A positive test may be caused by other factors, and you may not have any clots. D-dimer levels can be positive due to:
- Pregnancy
- Liver disease
- Recent surgery or trauma
- High lipid or triglyceride levels
- Heart disease
- Being over 80 years old
This makes the test mostly useful when it is negative, when many of the above causes can be ruled out.
Risks
Veins vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
Risks associated with having blood drawn are slight, but may include:
- Bleeding from where the needle was inserted
- Fainting or feeling lightheaded
- Hematoma (blood collecting under the skin)
- Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
References
Ginsberg J. Peripheral venous disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 81.
Weitz JI. Pulmonary embolism. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 98.
Review Date: 1/30/2016
Reviewed By: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
